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Great compassion brings peace and immense hope

In light of the negative impact of global warming on human beings, Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) hosted the "2008 Great Compassion Liberation Rite of Water and Land" from November 28th to December 5th 2008. This event was held at the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education in Jinshan Township, Taipei County in the hope of bringing peace and happiness to all people.

The compassionate rite lasted for eight days and fully demonstrated exclusive features of environmentalism, Buddhist art and modern humanism. On the afternoon of December 5th, the Abbot President of Dharma Drum Mountain, Venerable Guo Dong, led the DDM Sangha community and devoted participants in a wholehearted chant of Buddhist scriptures. The holy and compassionate sound of "Amitofo" soon spread throughout the Center and deeply touched the hearts of everyone who was present.

The Most Venerable Master Sheng Yen also attended the ceremony to congratulate the merit to which everyone had cultivated during the eight-day rite, as well as express his warmest gratitude to the volunteers' selfless contributions.

While on stage, the Master said that the participation in the Liberation Rite of Water and Land and Dharma assemblies are already the best "Dharma talks". The Master went on to encourage everyone to continue the works of scripture chanting and repenting of sins at home to achieve an eternal peace in mind.

When speaking on the recent economic down turn, the Master said that Dharma wisdom enables everyone to repose in peace whenever one is in difficulty. This is the reason why DDM wants to hold the Great Compassion Liberation Rite of Water and Land. This rite aims to simmer down one's mind, propagate Dharma wisdom, promote Buddhist education and further the idea of "building a pure land on earth".

Aside from local participants, almost two hundreds pupils of the Master from around the world returned "home" to join this spectacular and inspirational rite. Nearing the end, the Master expressed his hope to see everyone's return in the future with a "farewell, see you next year".